Benefits and Maintance

[Hannispan]

Hi I am very very confused my the whole benefits system and was hoping someone could save me 2 hours on the phone :-) I am currently unemployed and reliant on benefits (i am trying to find a job). My ex has just offered to give me £20 a month to treat the kids and to pay £40 a month each into their child trust funds. I am very happy with this as I manage on benefits and I'm hoping its only temporary anyway and I am pleased that the DC will have some money towards first home/university/travel when they fly the nest. Do I need to tell the benefits people? And if yes do I need to tell them both about the £20 a month and the savings payments? Thanks

Not an expert but I think you do have to declare the cash in hand for you (I'm assuming he pays CSA?) but don't think you have to worry about the CTF as that is their money and you can't touch it. But hopefully someone with a bit more knowledge will be along in a minute...have you thought of posting in legal?

If your ex is giving you maintenance for the children it does not affect your benefits.

child maint isn't taken into account as part of your income for benefits purposes.

You get to keep it all, it doesn't affect your COuncil tax or housing entitlement either. You do have to declare that you receive it though.
See the link I posted on your other thread

I assume he pays for general things/maintainence not just into a fund for them

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/legal_matters/1127940-Benefits-and-Maintance

other post, in which I ask pretty much what you are I think coccyx

Thanks everyone - I did post in legal as well as I'm never sure where to ask these questions!

My ex husband has just started taking our kids two nights a week. He told me today he will be claiming CTC and child benefit for those two days??? Can he do that? I dont work right now as i am studying and our eldest son has a psychological disorder, so i had to stop work as no childminder would look after him. Im soooo worried my money will be halved. I struggle as it is. Can anyone help?

hiya gill, what he is proposing is not possible (although he may think it is, but he will soon find out). The main carer (you) are entitled to those benefits in full; he should of course also be paying you maintainence too x

Thanks, im going to speak to the TC peeps tomorrow just to duble check! He is paying maintainence but has only just started. He is looking for more money as he now has to pay for them!